My heart is so full today as I reflect on my experience 3 years ago.

My two oldest boys and I got to go on a Mormon Trek that was where my ancestors had been. I studied about Caroline and Robert Reeder in the Willie Handcart Company to learn and connect with them while there.

My oldest was asked to recount the story of James Kirkwood (11) and his brother Joseph (5) while standing at Rocky Ridge where James died after carrying his little brother and collapsing to the ground. Margaret was a single mom of four boys too and I felt so much for her heartaches and trials as I listened.

My oldest surprised his brother by having him stand by him while he told him he would die for him. And that we can all be the older brother for others but we also all have the older brother in this story in Jesus Christ. He carries us and has already died for us. My mom heart just about burst!

It was confirmed in my heart that day I was with my ancestors as an angel on the other side helping them get where they needed to be.

Many times since this experience I have witnessed and felt the tender mercy of angels also assisting me from my past and those yet to come. We are all cheering eachother on.

It has been my early understanding in my ancestors examples and in my own life of who I am, my worth and my relationship with my Savior that has also helped me through the tougher phases of life.

I love as I celebrate my ancestors today that I can see my own pioneer journey as a single mom with my boys and how much I love the relationship they will forever have because of what they have been through. Their courage, strength, testimony, resiliency and optimism for life are examples to me. I am forever the blessed one that I get to be their mom.

I have this painting “Determination” by Julie Rogers hanging in my home as a reminder of all it represents.

Here is a link to the story.

Happy Pioneer Day! ❤️

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